Battle of Iquique
Harbour of Iquique, Tarapacá, Chile (then Peru)
What happened
The Peruvian ironclad Huáscar under Admiral Miguel Grau fought the Chilean wooden corvette Esmeralda under Captain Arturo Prat. Early in the War of the Pacific, the old Chilean ship Esmeralda was blockading the Peruvian port of Iquique. The much stronger Peruvian ironclad Huáscar attacked, and after about four hours the Esmeralda sank. Prat died trying to board the Huáscar, and Grau ordered his boats to rescue the Chilean survivors.
Why it matters
Why it matters: Peru won the battle and broke the blockade, but Prat's courage inspired many Chileans to join the army and navy. Chile celebrates 21 May as Navy Day.
What came next
The same day, Peru lost its ironclad Independencia at nearby Punta Gruesa. Iquique later became part of Chile after the war.
Did you know?
Grau returned Prat's diary, uniform and sword to his widow with a letter praising his courage, earning the nickname 'Gentleman of the Seas'.
Timeline
- 1879The War of the Pacific begins.
- 21 May 1879The Battle of Iquique.
- 21 May 1879Peru loses the Independencia at Punta Gruesa.
- 1883The war ends, and Iquique becomes part of Chile.
- 190521 May becomes Chile's Navy Day holiday.